Spinal Fractures

Even minor falls or trauma can sometimes produce a spine fracture. Many of these injuries will never require surgery, but major fractures can result in serious long-term problems unless treated promptly and properly. Spine fractures range from painful compression fractures, often seen after minor trauma in osteoporotic patients, to more severe injuries such as burst fractures and fracture-dislocations which occur following auto accidents or falls from height. These severe injuries frequently result in spinal instability, with a high risk of spinal cord injury and pain.

Osteoporosis, or softening of the bones, can lead to painful vertebral compression fractures. Until recently the only treatment was bracing and narcotic medications which frequently lend to ongoing pain and progressive deformity. Spinal surgeons can now, using a new technology, re-expand the vertebral body (kyphoplasty) and augment its strength by injecting bone cement. This can be done as an outpatient in a minimally invasive fashion. In other cases cement injection without re-expansion of the fracture (vertebroplasty) can be performed.

Surgeons who treat fractures must have an expert understanding of the mechanics of spinal injuries, understand the risk of worsening deformity in untreated fractures, and be trained in the numerous techniques for reconstructing the spinal column. Cleveland Clinic surgeons provide world-class care for fractures of the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine, and can repair or reconstruct many problems resulting from previously treated injuries. Many fractures may be treated without surgery, but assessment by a spinal surgeon insures that the injury is correctly diagnosed and that all appropriate treatment options are considered before embarking on surgery.